Joe Pool Reservoir - 2013 Survey Report

This is the authors' summary from a 35-page report. For a
copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Joe Pool Reservoir were surveyed in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 using electrofishing, in 2013 using trap nets and in 2014 using gill nets. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Joe Pool Reservoir, a 7,470-acre reservoir located on Mountain Creek (a tributary of the Trinity River), was constructed in 1986 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. It was opened to public fishing in August 1989. It is located in Tarrant, Ellis, and Dallas Counties four miles south of Grand Prairie, Texas. Habitat is composed mainly of shoreline emergent vegetation, submersed vegetation in the form of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), and American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus), and flooded timber.

Management History

Important sport fish include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Channel Catfish. Largemouth Bass have been intensively managed through harvest regulations and opened with an 18-inch minimum length limit. This was changed to a 14-to 21- inch slot length limit in fall 1992.

Aquatic Vegetation

Hydrilla was first discovered in Joe Pool Reservoir in 1994. Coverage was less than 1 acre until it expanded to approximately 116 acres in 2003 and fluctuated between 100 and 120 acres from 2004-2006. Hydrilla began to decrease in 2007 and decreased to less than one acre from 2008-2010. In 2011 Hydrilla had expanded to 31 acres. Hydrilla totaled 63 acres in 2012 and 115 acres in 2013. Although Hydrilla can be problematic, the vegetation has had a positive impact on the Largemouth Bass population.

Fish Community

Prey species: Gizzard and Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir. However, catch rates of these species remain well below averages of other district reservoirs. This could be the result of the low productivity of the water.

Catfishes: Blue Catfish catch rates continued to increase. Several large fish (≥ 30 inches) were captured. The catch rate of Channel Catfish also increased compared to previous years. Flathead catfish are present but none were captured.

Temperate basses: White Bass were caught at a high rate by gill netting with most fish captured being over the minimum length limit. For the first time in sampling history, Yellow Bass were also collected.

Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass catch rates increased from previous sample. Most of the increase was in the 9-to -11 inch length groups. Average body condition continued to be below optimal.

White Crappie: The White Crappie catch rates doubled from the previous survey. Most of the fish captured were below 10 inches.

Management Strategies

An additional electrofishing survey will be conducted in 2015 and general monitoring with trapnetting, gillnetting, and electrofishing in 2017-2018. Annual aquatic vegetation surveys will be conducted to monitor hydrilla coverage. Planting of floating leaved plants will be conducted annually if plants are available.